Method and System for Providing Access to Image System Services

ABSTRACT

A method and system according to the disclosure facilitates subscription based access to services for image systems including an image acquisition device configured to generate image data describing a target object in a target area of the image acquisition device and an image display device configured to generate a human perceptible rendering of the target object based on the image data.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/260,385 filed Oct. 29, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,154,753(Apr. 10, 2012).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to image system services andmore particularly to a method and system for providing access accordingto a software-as-a-service model to measuring, calibrating, devicematching and/or asset management services for image systems havingacquisition and display devices and/or providing a collaborativebusiness network to share image system information for compliance andcollaborative work flow purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

Image systems generally include at least one image acquisition device,data storage and at least one image display device. The imageacquisition device acquires an image of a target, and creates datarepresenting the image. This data may be manipulated or processed priorto providing the data to the image display device. The image displaydevice converts the processed image data into an output image in somehuman perceptible form.

Image acquisition devices can be characterized by acquisition profileswhich generally represent measurements of exactly how the devicegenerates data representing the target by sensing any of a variety ofdifferent information sources such as reflected light, sonar, magneticresonance, radiation measurements, heat measurements, x-rays, etc. Imagedisplay devices, such as video monitors, can similarly be characterizedby display profiles which generally represent measurements of exactlyhow the device converts image data into a human perceptible output.These profiles (acquisition and display) may be determined usingconventional systems such as the commercially available cineProfiler™application of the cineSpace™ suite offered by Cine-tal™ Systems Inc. ofIndianapolis, Ind., which measures image devices and generates profilesof image devices.

Over time, the profile of a given device will change for a variety ofreasons. Using such systems, samples of the device characteristics areacquired periodically to determine the device profile. In addition todetermining profiles, such systems include correction algorithms thatpermit calibration or adjustment of the image devices to provide anoutput having known characteristics. For example, an image acquisitiondevice may be calibrated (based on the device's profile) to provide adata output that conforms to a defined standard for color, etc. Theimage display device (such as a monitor or printer) for the system mayalso be calibrated (based on the device's profile) to provide an outputfrom the image data conforming to the defined standard which replicatesthe images captured by the image acquisition device. In addition tocalibrating image acquisition and image display devices to knownstandards, the following other operations may be performed:

(i) matching the output data of one or more image acquisition devices tothe output data of another image acquisition device;

(ii) calibrating an image display device (such as a monitor or printer)to an image essence profile, as is further described herein; and

(iii) matching the output data of one or more image display devices tothe output data of another image display device.

Conventionally, the above-described profile measurements, matching andcalibration operations are performed using software and hardwarepurchased or licensed for use with the particular equipment used in theimage system. While this model for image system management is useful, itmay not be ideal for certain users. Some users desire access to imagemanagement systems only infrequently, and a blanket license to suchsystems may be overkill for the users' needs. Moreover, installation ofthe systems at the users' site may be time consuming and expensive.Also, conventional image system management systems do not provide avariety of different asset management services not related to imageprocessing.

SUMMARY

The present system permits access to image system services on asubscription basis. More particularly, the system permits a user to paya subscription fee for access via a network to a remote image systemmanagement service which provides device profiling, matching,calibration, collaborative business networks to share device profiles,and asset management functions.

The features of the system and related methods of this disclosure, andthe manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and thedisclosure itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the subject matter to the precise forms disclosed in the followingdetailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and describedso that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

The term “image system” applies to a wide variety of electroniccomponent configurations used in many different industries. In general,image systems include at least one image acquisition device and at leastone image display device. Image acquisition devices include, but are notlimited to, analog and digital video and still cameras, opticalscanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instruments, positronemission tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) scanningdevices, ultrasound echo instruments, thermal imaging instruments, andothers. These acquisition devices capture images generated by reflectionor emission characteristics of target objects, and generate image datadescribing the target objects. This data is typically processed andeventually transferred in one form or another to the image displaydevice. Image display devices include, but are not limited to, computermonitors (LCD, CRT, etc.), televisions, video projectors, and printersof various kinds including film printers and film exposure devices.These image display devices receive the processed data, convert it, andrender the target object in a human perceptible form.

The detailed descriptions which follow are presented in part in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory representing alphanumeric characters or otherinformation. These descriptions and representations are the means usedby those skilled in the art of data processing to most effectivelyconvey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.

An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistentsequence of steps leading to a desired result. These steps are thoserequiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, thoughnot necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical ormagnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,compared, and otherwise manipulated. It proves convenient at times,principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals asbits, values, symbols, characters, display data, terms, numbers, or thelike. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similarterms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities andare merely used here as convenient labels applied to these quantities.

Some algorithms may use data structures for both inputting informationand producing the desired result. Data structures greatly facilitatedata management by data processing systems, and are not accessibleexcept through sophisticated software systems. Data structures are notthe information content of a memory, rather they represent specificelectronic structural elements which impart a physical organization onthe information stored in memory. More than mere abstraction, the datastructures are specific electrical or magnetic structural elements inmemory which simultaneously represent complex data accurately andprovide increased efficiency in computer operation.

Further, the manipulations performed are often referred to in terms,such as comparing or adding, commonly associated with mental operationsperformed by a human operator. No such capability of a human operator isnecessary, or desirable in most cases, in any of the operationsdescribed herein which form part of the present invention; theoperations are machine operations. Useful machines for performing theoperations of the present invention include general purpose digitalcomputers or other similar devices. In all cases the distinction betweenthe method operations in operating a computer and the method ofcomputation itself should be recognized. The present invention relatesto a method and apparatus for operating a computer in processingelectrical or other physical signals to generate other desired physicalsignals.

The present system also relates to an apparatus for performing theseoperations. This apparatus may be specifically constructed for therequired purposes or it may comprise a general purpose computer systemas selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe system. The algorithms discussed herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. In particular, variousgeneral purpose machines may be used with programs written in accordancewith the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to constructmore specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. Therequired structure for a variety of these machines will appear from thedescription below.

In the following description, several terms (in addition to the terms“image system,” “image acquisition device,” and “image display device”)have specialized meanings in the present context. The term “calibration”refers to the adjustment of an image acquisition device to perform inaccordance with a predefined performance characteristic (e.g., astandard, a manufacturer's specification, or an acquisition profile ofanother image acquisition device). The term further refers to theadjustment of an image display device to perform in accordance with apredefined performance characteristic (e.g., a standard specification,an image essence profile generated at an image acquisition device, or adisplay profile of another image display device). The term “network”refers to a “local area network” or a “wide area network,” eachincluding two or more computing devices which are connected (via wiresor wirelessly) in such a manner that messages may be transmitted betweenthe devices. The term “computing device” refers to any of a personalcomputer, work station, server, lap top, personal digital assistant, orany combination of such devices, either as single devices or as aplurality of devices operating in cooperation with one another. In suchnetworks, typically one or more computing devices operate as a “server,”a device with large storage devices such as hard disk drives andcommunication hardware to operate peripheral devices such as printers ormodems. Other computing devices provide a user interface so that usersof computer networks can access the network resources, such as shareddata files, common peripheral devices, and inter-workstationcommunication. Users activate computer programs or network resources tocreate “processes” which include both the general operation of thecomputer program along with specific operating characteristicsdetermined by input variables and its environment.

The term “browser” refers to a program which is not necessarily apparentto the user, but which is responsible for transmitting messages betweenthe computing devices coupled to the network and for displaying andinteracting with the network user. Browsers are designed to utilize acommunications protocol for transmission of text and graphic informationover a world wide network of computers, namely the “World Wide Web” orsimply the “Web”. Examples of browsers compatible with the presentsystem include the Internet Explorer program sold by MicrosoftCorporation (Internet Explorer is a trademark of Microsoft

Corporation), the Opera Browser program created by Opera Software ASA,or the Firefox browser program distributed by the Mozilla Foundation(Firefox is a registered trademark of the Mozilla Foundation). Althoughthe following description details such operations in terms of a graphicuser interface of a browser, the present invention may be practiced withtext based interfaces, or even with voice or visually activatedinterfaces, that have many of the functions of a graphic based browser.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 10 according to the present disclosureis depicted as connected to an image system 12 via a network 14. Imagesystem 12 is shown including an image acquisition device 16 forcapturing a form or image (collectively referred to hereinafter as image18), data processing equipment 20, an image display device 22 forgenerating an image 24 corresponding in some manner to the acquiredimage 18, measurement devices 26, and a computing device 28 coupled todata processing equipment 20 through a network 30 and to system 10through network 14. It should be understood that in some image systems12, computing device 28 is incorporated into data processing equipment20 and network 30 is absent. As indicated above, image acquisitiondevice 16 may include any of a variety of different devices forcapturing images. A camera is depicted only as an example. Dataprocessing equipment 20 may include an array of data processing devicesincluding standard computing platforms, special image processingequipment for image alteration, etc. Alternatively, data processingequipment 20 may essentially include a simple connection (wired orwireless) coupling image acquisition device 16 to image display device22. Again, as mentioned above, image display device 22 may include anyof a variety of different devices for generating a display or otheroutput of the acquired image 18. It should be understood from theforegoing that image 24, while shown separately from image displaydevice 22, may simply be displayed on a screen of image display device22. Alternatively, image 24 may be created on a tangible medium such aspaper, film, metal, or a variety of other media for carrying humanperceptible indicia. Measurement devices 26 are present at both imageacquisition device 16 and image display device 22. Depending upon theconfiguration of image system 12, measurement devices 26 may include aplurality of different sensing components such as light meters,colorimeters, spectrophotometers or other types of measurement devices.Indeed, it should be understood that any of the components of system 12depicted in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of devices in operableassociation with one another to accomplish the task of generating imagedata from a target object and converting that image data into a humanperceptible representation of the target object.

In one embodiment of system 10 of the present disclosure, image system12 is coupled though computing device 28 and network 14 to a computingdevice 32. As indicated above, computing device 32 may represent aplurality of computing devices operating in cooperation with oneanother, each performing one or more functions to provide the servicesdescribed herein. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, network14 is the Web. Computing device 32 generally includes a processor 34, adevice database 36, a user database 38 and a calibration database 40.Processor 34 depicted in FIG. 1 is a highly simplified representation ofa plurality of conventional components which function to permitcommunications with network 14 and databases 36, 38, and 40 to performthe analysis of data received from image system 12, and to providecalibration adjustments and other services to image system 12. As isfurther described below, the data contained in each of databases 36, 38,and 40 may have one or more relationships to data contained in the otherdatabases. It should be further understood that databases 36, 38, and 40are described as separate databases only for the convenience. More orfewer than three databases may be used, and each database may includedata other than that described herein.

As further described herein, device database 36 may include performancespecifications and capability data for a plurality of different imageacquisition devices 16 and image display devices 22. The data for eachdevice may be arranged by manufacturer and/or model number, andrepresent the manufacturer's specifications for how the particulardevice is expected to perform. As is also further described below, userdatabase 38 stores data corresponding to the users of system 10. Thedata corresponding to each user may include user identification, imagesystem configuration information, maintenance information, relationshipsamong users, project information, and asset management information suchas performance tolerances, location and use histories, life cyclespecifications, maintenance schedules, compliance requirements, etc.Profile database 40 generally includes image standards, image essenceprofiles, image acquisition profiles, and image display profiles thatspecify color gamut, contrast ratio, color temperature, spatialresolution, frame rates, and other attributes related to digital imageacquisition and display. Profile database 40 may further include relatedtolerance specifications which essentially function to limit the degreeof adjustments the calibration algorithms can cause in particular imageacquisition devices 16 and/or image display devices 22 to meet thedesired standard or profile. Profile database 40 may also containrelational links to users, devices, and user/projects. For example, adevice profile stored in profile database 40 may be associated through arelational link to user data stored in user database 38.

To facilitate access to system 10, the user may be provided withhardware and/or software including an installable application for astandard computing system, devices to measure displays and test charts,and devices for correcting image data in the acquisition and displayenvironments (collectively referred to as “interface equipment”) tointerface image acquisition device 16 and/or image display device 22 tocomputing device 28. In the depicted embodiment of system 10, theinstallable application is executed on computing device 28, themeasurement functions are performed by measurement devices 26, thecorrection or adjustment functions are performed by data processingequipment 20, and the communication functions with computing device 32are performed by computing device 28.

In operation, the user pays a subscription fee for access to system 10.The subscription fee may permit unlimited access over a fixed timeperiod such as one year. Alternatively, the subscription fee may be on aper-access basis, permitting the user to access the system once toperform one or more operations as described below. Finally, thesubscription fee may be based on the duration of access (i.e., byminute, hour, etc.). To initiate use of system 10, the user may connectto system 10 using a browser, select a subscription fee arrangement, andperform an on-line payment transaction in a conventional manner. Ofcourse, alternative procedures such as mail may be used to obtain asubscription. Once the user is subscribed to system 10, a useridentification and password may be provided to the user for subsequentaccess to system 10. At this time, or at a later time when the userdesires to perform a profiling and calibration operation as describedbelow, the user may be prompted to provide information identifying imageacquisition device 16 and/or image display device 22. Of course, afterthe user has performed more than one calibration operation and theidentification information is stored in user database 38, the user maysimply select from previously identified devices.

Alternatively, the interface equipment discussed above may automaticallyidentify image acquisition device 16 and/or image display device 22 andprovide the identification information to system 10. Moreover, computingdevice 28 may be configured to automatically access the system on aperiodic basis or otherwise, or to automatically remind the user (e.g.,via a notification to access system 10 displayed by computing device 28or transmitted to the user via network 14, network 30 or otherwise).

After the user has subscribed, logged into the system, and identified(either manually or automatically) the device 16, 22 to be calibrated,the calibration procedure occurs in the following manner. In the case ofcalibration of image acquisition device 16, image 18 is first placed inthe target area of image acquisition device 16. Depending upon thetechnology employed by image system 12, image 18 may be a color chart, aheating device (for IR sensing), a form (for MRI), etc. As is known inthe art, for calibration to occur, image 18 must generate known resultswhen sensed by image acquisition device 16. In other words, image system12 must know what it is looking at to assess whether the datarepresentation of the target is as expected. In instances when the useris calibrating image acquisition device 16 to a standard, the standardselected for calibration dictates the image 18 to be used as a target.The user may be prompted by system 10 to place, for example, aparticular color chart in the target area upon selecting a particularstandard for calibration.

The interface equipment then receives data corresponding to image 18 asdetected by image acquisition device 16 or measurement device 26. Thisdata is used to create an “acquisition profile” which reflects thecharacteristics of the target form or image 18. In one embodiment of thepresent system, the data detected by measurement device 26 is used asthe acquisition profile. For example, measurement device 26 may sensespectral data from light reflected by image 18, and provide wavelengthand intensity data as the acquisition profile. In this case, theacquisition profile may be characterized as an “essence file” as itrepresents the characteristics of image 18 without reference to themanner in which image acquisition device 16 detects thosecharacteristics or generates data representing those characteristics.Such an essence file may function as the “standard” to which imagedisplay device 22 is required to perform. In this manner, and as isfurther described below, the display profile of image display device 22device may be adjusted by a correction algorithm with reference to theessence file to cause image display device 22 to reproduce at image 24the same characteristics of image 18.

Alternatively, if image acquisition device 16 is used to generate theacquisition profile, the data generated by image acquisition device 16upon sensing image 18 may include color space data (e.g., RGB, CMYK,YCbCr, etc.). This type of acquisition profile represents how imageacquisition device 16 senses image 18 and may function as the “standard”to which another image acquisition device 16 is required to perform. Inthis manner, the acquisition profile of the other image acquisitiondevice 16 may be adjusted by a correction algorithm with reference tothe first acquisition profile to cause the other image acquisitiondevice 16 to generate image data in the same manner as the first imageacquisition device 16. This matching of performance characteristics ofimage acquisition devices 16 may be useful when, for example, a userdesired multiple image acquisition devices 16 in image system 12 toprovide consistent image data regardless of differences in the devices.

The above-described acquisition profile may alternatively be used, notas a “standard,” but as the starting point for causing image acquisitiondevice 16 to perform in conformance with a generally accepted standard(e.g., in a particular industry) associated with image 18. In this case,the acquisition profile is adjusted by a correction algorithm to causeimage acquisition device 16 to generate image data from image 18 asexpected by the standard. To illustrate this point, assume theacquisition profile includes three values, one each for the colors red,blue and green, as follows:

Acquisition Profile

R=X

B=Y

G=Z

Further assume that the selected standard to which image acquisitiondevice 16 is required to perform expects, when image 18 is used as atarget, different values for these colors as follows:

Standard

R=X′

B=Y′

G=Z′

The correction algorithm generated based on this acquisition profile andthis standard causes an adjustment in the operation of image acquisitiondevice 16 such that the image data output from device 16 conforms to thestandard. The correction may be represented as follows:

Correction Algorithm

X→X′

Y→Y′

Z→Z′

The same concept applies for calibration of one image acquisition device16 to another. It should be understood that such correction algorithmsfor calibration may be generated using the commercially availablesoftware referred to as cineSpace (particularly the cineCube component)provided by Cine-tal™ Systems Inc.

Regardless of whether the acquisition profile is generated bymeasurement device 26 or image acquisition device 16, it is communicatedto computing device 28, which communicates the profile to computingdevice 32 via network 14. Processor 34 receives the acquisition profileand stores it in association, for example, with the identified imageacquisition device 16 in user database 38, along with informationidentifying the context in which the profile was obtained (i.e., time,date, location, etc.), which may be automatically determined bycomputing device 32 or manually entered by the user.

As should be apparent from the foregoing, processor 34 maintains ahistory of acquisition profiles for each device 16, 22 calibrated by theuser. Over time, the performance characteristics of image acquisitiondevices 16 and image display devices 22 change due to a variety offactors such as component drift, environmental conditions, etc. Onefeature of the present system is its ability to function as a repositoryfor this performance data for various models of devices. This long-termdata may be used to provide users with automated statistical profiles oftheir device(s) without the need for actually acquiring device profiles.More specifically, it may be predicted based on this long-term data thata certain characteristic of an image acquisition device 16 will changeover time by a particular amount. System 10 may provide a correctionalgorithm which compensates for this change without requiring the userto obtain an acquisition profile for the device 16. Additionally, thisdata may be sold or otherwise leveraged in relationships with the devicemanufactures. As the data represents actual performance characteristicsof devices over time, device manufacturers may use the data to designtime-dependent adjustment mechanisms in the devices to automaticallycompensate for undesirable deviations from the device's initialperformance characteristics.

As indicated above, to perform a calibration operation on device 16, theuser must select and/or define a standard or a profile of anothersimilar device to which the user desires device 16 to perform. The useris prompted by system 10 to select a standard from the standards storedin profile database 40 or a device profile generated by the user in themanner described above or made available to them as a subscriber tosystem 10. Alternatively, the user may select performancecharacteristics associated with the device being calibrated as providedby the manufacturer of the device. These manufacturer's specificationsstored in device database 36 may function as the “standard” to which thedevice 16 is required to perform. In summary then, an image acquisitiondevice 16 may be calibrated against any of a generally acceptedstandard, an acquisition profile of another acquisition device 16, orthe manufacturer's specifications for acquisition device 16. Hereinafterthese various data sets for calibration are referred to as “predefinedperformance characteristics.”

As indicated above, given the deviation of device 16 from the specifiedpredefined performance characteristics to which device 16 is desired toperform, processor 34 generates a correction algorithm for downloadingto system 12. The correction algorithm may include but is not limited toID Look Up Tables (LUT), 3D LUTs, color space translations, matrixfunctions, data up-sampling instructions, data down-samplinginstructions, data multipliers, data adders and gamma curve corrections.The correction algorithm is used by data processing equipment 20 toadjust the digital output of image acquisition device 16 such that thedata corresponds to that needed to match the predefined performancecharacteristics. As such, image acquisition device 16 is adjusted orcalibrated to provide an output that conforms to the selected standard,acquisition profile, or manufacturer's specifications.

As mentioned above, profile database 40 and/or device database 36 mayalso include tolerance data which processor 34 may access whengenerating the correction algorithm for a particular calibrationoperation. The tolerance data may be associated with a particular modelof image acquisition device 16 and/or a particular accepted standard orset of manufacturer's specifications to which that device may becorrected to perform. The tolerance data provides adjustment limits foruse by processor 34 in generating the correction algorithms. In theevent the user desires to use an acquisition profile as the predefinedperformance characteristics to which the image acquisition device 16 isrequired to perform, the user may be prompted to provide the tolerancedata for various parameters. In any event, for performance parameters tobe adjusted by the correction algorithm, processor 34 may verify thatthe degree of adjustment remains within the associated tolerance data. Amessage may be generated for the user in the event a particular imageacquisition device 16 has measured performance characteristics thatdeviate to such a large extent that the amount of adjustment required toresult in an output that conforms to the predefined performancecharacteristics would exceed the tolerance limits associated with thosecharacteristics. In such an event, the user may be provided the optionof selecting a different standard, or instructed to have the imageacquisition device 16 serviced. As an example, if the device must beable to generate a contrast ratio of at least 5,000:I and the profileshows that the device is not capable of this performance, the systemwill show that particular device by serial number has failed to meet theminimum standards for use.

After image acquisition device 16 is calibrated or profiled andcalibrated, the user may be prompted to perform a profile and/orcalibration on another device. For example, the user may select tocalibrate image display device 22. The process for calibrating imagedisplay device 22 is very similar to that described above with referenceto image acquisition device 16. The user may manually identify imagedisplay device 22 to system 10 (e.g., by selecting image display device22 from a list, requesting system 10 to gather identificationinformation (make, model, serial number, service start date, etc.), orentering identification information for the device) or theabove-described interface equipment may automatically identify imagedisplay device 22. Image display device 22 may be profiled usingmeasurement device 26 such as a calorimeter, light meter, spectralanalyzer, or other device used to measure light and color. The userselects predefined performance characteristics for image display device22 from those available in profile database 40 or device database 38. Itshould be understood that the predefined performance characteristics maybe the same generally accepted standard used for image acquisitiondevice 16, a different standard, the manufacturer's specifications forimage display device 22 stored in device database 36, a display profilefor another image display device 22 stored in profile database 40, or anessence file stored in profile database 40 which was generated fromimage 18 in the manner described above. Processor 34 then generates acorrection algorithm for image display device 22 that compensates forthe deviation of the performance of the device from the predefinedperformance characteristics. Again, the tolerance data stored in profiledatabase 40 or device database 36 may be used to limit the degree towhich any performance parameter of image display device 22 may beadjusted by the correction algorithm generated by processor 34.

In addition to the calibration services described above, system 10 ofthe present disclosure also provides a variety of different assetmanagement functions to the user. In the process of performing profilingand calibration services, the system acquires a substantial amount ofinformation regarding the long-term performance of the user's devices.Over time and with periodic use, a plurality of device profiles arestored by system 10. Using these profiles, the system can determinetrends in the performance of the devices, and predict, for example, whenthe tolerance data associated with a device will likely be exceeded by acorrection algorithm. This information may be provided to the user forbudgeting purposes in determining when to repair, service, or replacecertain devices.

Additionally, the user may be prompted to identify or select requiredaction items to be associated with particular devices. For example, manydevices used in the medical industry are subject to complianceregulations having periodic reporting schedules. The reporting schedulesmay be stored in user database 38 and used to generate upcoming actionsreports for the user to view while accessing the system or remindermessages that are automatically forwarded to the user (e.g., via email,etc.) in advance of the reporting deadline. Other devices are subject tosimilar reporting requirements to maintain an active status byendorsement entities such as Dolby. THX, etc. In either event, the usermay be reminded of the approaching deadline and prompted to perform therequired action (e.g., a calibration operation) before the deadline. Thesystem may further be configured to manage the reporting function uponcompletion of the required actions.

Similarly, many devices are subject to manufacturers' recommendedmaintenance schedules. These schedules may be provided to the system andstored in user database 38. As a scheduled maintenance event approachesfor a device, the user may be notified while accessing the system or viaa messaging function as described above.

It should further be understood that system 10 may be configured toprovide any of a variety of different reports. Examples includehistories of calibration operations by device, life cycle planningreports indicating the projected end of useful life for devices based onthe tolerance limitations described above, and reports (retrospectiveand prospective) on reporting requirements by device, and maintenancereports by device.

The system may also be configured to require the user to identify thelocation of a device during profiling and/or calibration, and theoperator performing the operation. This information, along with the timerecord associated with the operation, permits the system to provideadditional asset management functions. More specifically, the mostrecent location information may be used by maintenance personnel tolocate devices in need of maintenance. Without receiving reports orreminders on maintenance and/or compliance activities, the user canproactively review the profiling and/or calibration histories of devicesto schedule such activities.

In another embodiment of the present system, computing device 32 may beconfigured to communicate with other providers of services (such asasset management services) via network 14. In such an embodiment,information concerning the ability of an image device to meet selectedstandards and predictable failures based on statistical data about thedevice gathered over time can be provided as part of a third partyinterface.

In yet another embodiment of the present system, rather than permittingaccess to the system on a subscription basis, a version of the system islicensed to the user for self-hosting. In such an embodiment, network 14may be a local area network which is accessible only by individualsassociated with the user. Alternatively, network 14 may be the Web asdescribed above, but access is permitted only to the user and associatedindividuals, and the user maintains computing device 32. In such aconfiguration, users are able to access system 10 on internal networksexisting behind firewalls instead of using an external network such asthe internet.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. A method of calibrating an image system including an imageacquisition device configured to generate image data describing a targetobject in a target area of the image acquisition device and an imagedisplay device configured to generate a human perceptible rendering ofthe target object based on the image data, the method comprising thesteps of: logging into a remote system over a network; transmitting tothe remote system over the network a device profile relating to one ofthe image acquisition device and the image display device; selectingpredefined performance characteristics; receiving from the remote systemover the network a correction algorithm based on the predefinedperformance characteristics; and adjusting the performance of one of theimage acquisition device and the image display device using thecorrection algorithm.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the performancecharacteristics include a generally accepted standard for performance ofone of the image acquisition device and the image display device.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the performance characteristics include amanufacturer's specification for performance of one of the imageacquisition device and the image display device.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the performance characteristics include the device profile.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the device profile is an essence filegenerated by a measurement device configured to generate data describingthe target object.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the adjusting stepincludes the step of adjusting the performance of the image displaydevice based on the essence file.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding the step of receiving from the remote system over the networkinstructions for selecting the target object.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the device profile is generated by the image acquisition device.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the logging step is followed by thestep of obtaining a subscription to access the remote system.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further including the step of receiving from theremote system over the network a message including instructions relatingto a performance adjustment that exceeds a limit of tolerance dataassociated with the performance characteristics.